Tag: ORNITHOPHILY

SAVE THE DATE FOR MY UPCOMING POLLINATOR GARDEN TALK AT THE SAWYER FREE LIBRARY!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Dear Friends,

Please join me April 6th at 7pm at the Sawyer Free Library where I will be giving my Pollinator Garden program and screening several short films. This event is free and open to the public. I am looking forward to presenting this program at our wonderful Sawyer Free and hope to see you there!!

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird and zinnia – ornithophily is the pollination of flowering plants by birds. They carry off pollen on their heads and neck to the next flower they visit.

The newly eclosed Monarch is clinging to its chrysalis case. Within moments of emerging, the two-part Monarch proboscis must zip together to form a siphoning tube. If the two parts do not join, the butterfly will not be able to drink nectar. In this photo, you can see the proboscis is not yet fully zipped.

“Following the rhythm of the seasons, celebrated landscape designer Kim Smith presents a stunning slide show and lecture demonstrating how to create a welcoming haven for bees, birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Native plants and examples of organic and architectural features will be discussed based on their value to particular vertebrates and invertebrates.”

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WHAT IS ORNITHOPHILY?

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Male Allen's Hummingbird and Aloe Blossom www.kimsmithdesigns.comOrnithophily is the pollination of flowers by birds. Plants pollinated by birds generally have flowers with extra sweet, highly concentrated nectar. The blossoms are typically red or orange and have a long tubular shape, which allows them to hold ample amounts of the sugary sweet nectar. Birds that pollinate flowers, hummingbirds for instance, often have long bills, brushy-tipped tongues, and are light enough to perch on the flower, or display a form of flying called swing hovering, which allows them to drink nectar while suspended mid-air.

Nearly 130 species of North American plants have evolved ornithophilous associations. Bee balm, salvia, and native honeysuckle are examples of plants that are pollinated by both insects and birds.

THE POLLINATOR GARDEN ~ Please join me Tuesday, January 26th at 7:30 pm at the North Shore Horticultural Society, American Legion Hall, 14 Church Street in Manchester.

I hope to see you there! 

Photo: Male Allen’s Hummingbird and Aloe Blossom